Homemade Twinkies Recipe
Homemade Twinkies are a delightful treat featuring soft, golden sponge cakes filled with a creamy, sweet marshmallow filling. This recipe replicates the classic snack cake with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for creating nostalgic indulgence right in your own kitchen.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 Twinkies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Cakes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup marshmallow creme
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a Twinkie pan or mini loaf pan to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to combine and aerate the dry ingredients.
- Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and granulated sugar for 6–8 minutes until the mixture is thick, pale, and fluffy.
- Add Vanilla and Fold in Dry Ingredients: Stir in the vanilla extract, then gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the egg mixture in batches. Be careful not to deflate the batter to maintain lightness.
- Incorporate Milk and Butter: Warm the milk slightly and combine it with the melted butter. Gently fold this mixture into the batter until just combined, ensuring a smooth texture.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Fill each mold in the prepared pan about 3/4 full with the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes until the cakes turn golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before attempting to remove them to avoid breaking.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow creme, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Fill the Cakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, poke three evenly spaced small holes into the bottom of each cooled cake. Pipe the filling into these holes to fill the center of each cake thoroughly.
- Serve or Store: Serve the filled Twinkies immediately for best texture. Alternatively, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better volume when beaten.
- Be gentle when folding in dry ingredients to keep the batter airy.
- If you do not have a Twinkie pan, mini loaf pans or standard muffin tins can work as substitutes.
- For easier filling, chill the filling slightly before piping to help it hold shape.
- Store Twinkies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Twinkies, homemade snack cakes, sponge cake, marshmallow filling, American dessert, baked treats